Authentic Indian Samosas

Dough

• 2 cups Italian '00' flour or regular flour
• 1 teaspoon whole ajwain
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 4 tablespoons unscented oil (vegetable/ canola/ sunflower/ grapeseed)
• Warm water as required

Filling

• 2 - 3 tablespoons unscented oil (vegetable, canola, sunflower or grapeseed)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 medium onion (diced finely)
• 1 inch piece of ginger (chopped finely)
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 - 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon amchur (dried mango powder)
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 2 large potatoes (chopped)
• 1 - 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen peas
• Juice of half a lemon
• Salt to taste
• Cilantro (chopped)

1. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl and make a well in the centre.
2. Rub the oil into the flour, until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Add the warm water, a little at a time and knead into the flour adding more water as required to make a soft, pliable dough. Knead dough for 4 - 5 minutes, until smooth.
3. Cover the dough with plastic wrap or cling film and leave to rest for at least half hour, or overnight in the fridge. Bring back the dough to room temperature before making samosa shells.
4. Heat the oil in a saute pan, then add the cumin seeds. When seeds sizzle, add the onion, and fry for 5 - 7 minutes, until the onion is soft but not coloured.
5. Add the ginger, turmeric, ground cumin, amchur and garam masala. Fry together for a couple minutes, then add the potatoes.
6. Saute the potatoes in the onion-spice mixture for about 5 - 7 minutes, until they begin to fray around the edges. Add enough water to cover the potatoes, then simmer for about 15 - 25 minutes, until the potatoes are very tender.
7. Add the peas, and cook for a few minutes. Season to taste with the salt and lemon juice.
8. Take off the heat, and mash coarsley. Stir in the cilantro. Let the filling cool completely before stuffing into samosas.

Assembling the samosas

1. Carefully cut the dough into equal pieces. Take one piece (keep the rest covered with plastic wrap) and gently shape it into a ball.
2. Dust your counter with a little flour, then using a rolling pin, roll out the dough into a very thin, translucent oval shape.
3. Cut the oval in half width ways. Make a cone shape, using the straight cut side of the oval, pinching the edges together with a little water to help seal the sides.
4. Take a lemon sized ball of potato stuffing, and place into the cone. Gently fold over the rounded side of the cone, using it almost like a flap, and making it into a triangle. Seal all edges well, using a little water, then using the tines of a fork, press a decorative pattern into the edge. Pinch the top and side edges of the triangle into a 'mohawk'.
5. Deep fry them for 4 - 5 minutes, until they are golden brown. Remove them from the oil, carefully, using a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Serve warm or at room temperature with various chutneys.